According to the latest Ipsos study commissioned by the Federation of General Student Associations (Fage), three quarters of young people aged 18 to 25 say they have been affected psychologically, emotionally or physically by the health crisis.
Psychological distress and suicidal thoughts in young people aged 18 to 25
After a first survey carried out in June 2020, a new study says more about the psychological state of young people impacted by the health crisis. The Ipsos study commissioned by the Federation of General Student Associations (Fage) and unveiled in the Journal du Dimanche on May 8, was conducted among 1,000 young people aged 18 to 25, whether they are students, in internship, looking for a job or currently working.
One year after the onset of the health crisis, it is clear that the health of young people is deteriorating. Indeed, according to the survey, it is now more than three quarters of young people (76%) who say they have been affected psychologically, emotionally or physically since the start of the health crisis. Among them, more than a quarter (27%) say they have had suicidal thoughts since the onset of the crisis. A rate that even reaches 31% among students, 40% among those who are also employees, and 42% among young people looking for their first job.
Student precariousness which is not without consequences for health
One year after the start of the health crisis, student precariousness has not changed and has even deteriorated. In total, 82% of students with paid employment have encountered financial difficulties since the onset of the health crisis in March 2020. Among them, 66% of them believe they have had financial difficulties in obtaining food. healthy and balanced and 52% had to give up medical procedures or medication. Student insecurity which leads to food insecurity since tens of thousands of young people have had to turn to food aid.
Beyond food insecurity, the effects of the health crisis on young people are numerous: ” orientation revised downwards, abandonment of a mobility project, professional integration sometimes impossible, academic career severely affected, reinforcement of somatic and psychological disorders are all difficulties experienced by too many young people »Explains La Fage.
No improvement despite the measures put in place by the government
According to the survey, there is no real improvement compared to the study carried out in June 2020, at the end of the first confinement despite the measures put in place by the government. If a system of psy checks has been set up for young people with around 3,000 free consultations per week, that is not enough.
Faced with this observation, the authors of the study underline the urgency to act so as not to sacrifice the youth by declaring: ” Often touted, the resilience of youth cannot be the solution to all ills: it leaves thousands of young people by the wayside and shatters personal projects. This is why it is up to the public authorities to push for strong support measures for it. Between observations and proposals, we call on all stakeholders to mobilize to allow our youth to regain hope in the future, to ensure that this resilience has not been in vain. “.
